Wendy thanks Mum for sacrifice

By MARTHA DERUAGE
WENDY Morona was raised by her mother and maternal grandfather. She was just a few months old when her father left to marry another woman.
But her mother Elvah Bakeranung was never going to see her only child suffer. So she worked hard to provide everything for her from primary school to university.
As a village woman, she planted peanuts and vegetables, farming the land alone. She sold whatever gold she found at the river to pay for Wendy’s school fees.
Wendy, now 27, from Panguna village in Bougainville, is now a researcher with the National Research Institute. She has a Bachelor of Economics degree from the University of PNG and a Diploma in Economic Policy Analysis.
Wendy never forgets those days watching her mother do the extra to ensure Wendy never lacks anything. It made her work harder to repay her mother someday.
She put everything into her school work. She completed Grade Eight in 2009 at the Darenai Primary School and was selected for Grade Nine at Bana High School.

“ My mother is a strong woman who I look up to.”

After completing Grade 10, she was selected for Grade 11 at Buin Secondary School where she studied business to Grade 12 in 2013.
In 2014, she pursued an Economics degree programme at the University of PNG2013. She graduated with a Bachelor in Economics degree in 2018.
In 2019, she got a job with the National Research Institute as a cadet researcher.
She also married Stellone Basura and had baby Quillian Basura. But it did not stop her from pursuing further education. This year she completed an eight-week course on economic policy analysis.
“Being a cadet researcher, I research on policies. That is why I took up the course. I know it would enhance my skills to do research.”
Her husband, an auditor with the Inland Revenue Commission was very supportive even though his job required a lot of travelling. Wendy therefore had to allocate her time between work, family, and school.
It was hard but she pushed on. She was rewarded when named one the two most outstanding students at the graduation ceremony on Nov 13. She also received a Diploma in Economic Policy Analysis.
“I did not expect to get the dux award but I am grateful that managing my time became fruitful. The eight weeks had been intense because I had to work, make time for family obligations and make time for classes. We had classes every day and have tests almost every Fridays. But time management is everything. I had to push on. There was no turning back.”
Wendy plans to be involved more in the small and medium enterprises.
“I am doing a research project on that. I’m researching on how SME can reach international markets. Many people are unemployed and rely on informal markets. Creating opportunities for them to reach the international market would help a lot of people.”
She dedicates her achievements to her mother, grandpa and her own young family.
“My mom remarried in 2013 when I was in Grade 12 but did not have any children. She is a strong woman who I look up to as a role model.”
Wendy also hopes to meet her biological dad someday.
“I heard he is married and that I have half-brothers and sisters. His village is a bit far from us. He lives abroad and come for holidays. I still hope to meet him someday.”
Her advice to women raising a family, handling a job and attending school all at once is to “trust yourself because that will motivate you to do better”. Wendy knows.